Tsuchiya K˘itsu had an interesting career. At 15 he started his apprenticeship with one of the carvers of Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915). He must have made himself noticed, for Kiyochika took him into his house, where he stayed for 19 years. After meeting Watanabe Sh˘zabur˘ at an exhibition of his teacher's work, he started designing woodblock prints for him, and later for Kawaguchi and Doi. His work is characterized by strong lines and contrasts.